The Baines Plumbing Division One in The Halbro North West Leagues
Eccles 2nd XV 26 pts v 7 pts Vale 2nd XV

The Vale XV
Harm Docter
Koran Banga
Matthew Davenport
Joe Harrison
Josh Mitten
Ben Keenan
Josh Sloan Lewis
Eddie Abdelguafar
Lee Starkey (Capt)
Rory Briggs
Jordan Fern
Dave Buchan
Jake Wilson
Kevin Bristow
Ryan Busby
Jason McDonald
Tom Miller

Once again a much changed Vale XV was to take the field in this return game at Peel Green, Gorton St. the home of the famous Eccles Cakes. The return coming after a heavy defeat when the Eccles XV played at Powderhouse Lane,
The Vale XV were lying two places below Eccles in the League table so expectations were high.
The Vale side was a mixture of youth and experience, great to see young colts taking their place in the side Jake Wilson and Jason McDonald in the central positions. Equally Dave Buchan Joe Harrison back from injury…..

The game kicked off on the Eccles back pitch with the roar of the M60 only yards away. Did this affect the performance on the day ??

The side were looking good and after only 5 minutes a sweeping move up the field had Dave Buchan crossing the Eccles line under the “sticks” with Rory Briggs converting comfortably.
The Vale had a most experienced front row with both Matti Davenport and Harm Doctor propping Koran Banga who had been drafted into the hooking position. Do you need a specialist hooker nowadays, the expertise of Bennetts and Swarbrick have long gone in the modern game.
Soon after the Vales’ opening score the Eccles XV gathered and were exerting pressure on the Vale scrummage winning the ball and with some slick passing by their threequarters allowed their winger to score wideout. 5 pts. No way would he convert – he did… to take the score to 7pts across the board. Later to miss one in front of the posts !!!

On 25 minutes Vale were offered a penalty easily within kicking distance but opted for the “fashionable” option of going for the lineout which failed. Wrong decision – Yes -…

Kev Bristow is quick and in full flight, always good to see, and going for the line, with cover arriving threw out a wild pass taken up eagerly with the Eccles defence leading to them scoring at the opposite end of the field.
The scrummaging phase of the game was proving equal neither eight overpowering their opposites. The second row of Josh Mitton – where will he be selected next week “shoulder allowing” - as he moves from wing to centre and now in the midst of the scrum, along with Joe Harrison, were proving to be a steady partnership in the engine room. Joe of course using his undoubted strength not only in the set phases but battling strongly in the loose phases of the game at times taking on the Eccles 8 almost single handedly.

The back row of Ben Keenan - lineout work terrific – as usual, Josh Sloan Lewis battling in the loose and Eddie Abdelguafar were equalling the Eccles scrum with Eddie making some strong forages into the Eccles defence. Another lad playing out of position !!

To half time and this Vale XV were battling hard against this Eccles XV filled with experienced players but also some speedy players and it was this speed that undid the Vale side in the second half. Did the Vale side tire ??

Lee Starkey team manager and Skipper for the day playing at scrum half was picking up many balls in the loose play, at fly half Rory Briggs displaying his kicking ability was putting the Vale XV into attacking positions. Jake Wilson and Jason McDonald were not seeing much of the ball in needed, attacking positions and Jordan Fern possibly the most experienced player on the Park was not given room to display his undoubted pace.

Ryan Busby at full back was always a threat and secure under any high balls. At one time and using his undoubted pace he split the Eccles defence from his own line and headed for the Eccles line. – bit like Marcus Smith in the England game – only to be pulled down yards from the Eccles line.

At this stage the Eccles XV were showing a degree of control and were scoring regularly using the wide open spaces and getting the ball along the line to their speedy wingers. Tom Miller entered the field moving off the bench but the Eccles XV at this stage were in control.

Did I detect a drop in energy as the Eccles XV continued to exert control. ?? Did I ????

A tough game is now on the horizon with Sandbach at the Vale next weekend which promises to be a hard game for these lads but we can stuff them as we move from a mid-table placing.

Fred Swarbrick….